https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2015/06/21/washington-fire-continues-spread-markleeville-calif/29089475/
1 p.m. Monday update:
Reinforcements are on the way to help battle a Sierra wildfire south of Lake Tahoe where nearly 300 crew members already are at work and the town of Markleeville is on standby for possible evacuation.
Sierra Front fire spokeswoman Jenny Ramella says they expect to have 500 personnel on site by Monday afternoon. She says the fire has burned nearly 14 square miles of timber and grass — about 8,900 acres — since it broke out Friday night about 10 miles south of Markleeville.
Highways 89 and 4 in the Monitor Pass area remain closed and some campgrounds have been evacuated. But Ramella says no structures have been damaged or injuries reported.
At least four air tankers and several helicopters are assisting from the air.
The blaze is estimated to be about 10 percent contained.
6 a.m. Monday update:
The Washington Fire in a remote area near Markleeville, Calif., is about 10 percent contained.
The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center said Monday the fire has burned an estimated 8,900 acres.
Highway 89 over Monitor Pass and Highway 4 over Ebbetts Pass remain closed.
There is no estimation to when the fire will be fully contained.
Earlier reports:
A wind-whipped wildfire moved closer to the Sierra Nevada town of Markleeville, Calif., on Sunday, and authorities are telling residents to be prepared to evacuate.
The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center in nearby Minden, Nev., reports the fire exploded in size from roughly a half square mile, or 350 acres, on Saturday to 10 square miles, or 6,500 acres, on Sunday.
Center spokeswoman Elizabeth Kenna said she's unsure how close the Washington Fire is to town, but it's threatening five homes and 15 historic cabins. She says residents of the five homes and an unknown number of campers have been evacuated.
The fire also has prompted the closure of Highway 89 over Monitor Pass and Highway 4 over Ebbetts Pass.
The fire began Friday night about 10 miles south of Markleeville and winds are pushing it in a northeast direction.
